When in Helsinki, Suomenlinna (my translation, Fort of Finland), also known as Viapori or in Swedish Sveaborg, is my favorite place to visit every summer. Suomenlinna is located from the Market Square of Helsinki by the ferry in ten minutes. It consists of eight islands. Its history begins already in 1748. This fortress was built originally against the Russia and nowadays it is one of the largest maritime fortresses in the world. Also Suomenlinna is found on as UNESCO World Heritage site.

Suomenlinna is not only a “museum”, but people are living there. This means that they go to Helsinki daily by ferry to their jobs and return in the evening. This is not all, because also there are workplaces in Suomenlinna.

What to see or experience there? Well, historical museum, toy museum, castle moats, old canons (105), beaches, cafés, restaurants, shops, church, remains of old ramparts, dry-dock, summer theatre, etc. Most of all I like to see are old canons everywhere and underground tunnels. From the high walls glimmering sea is every time worth to see. Also You can find couples to walk hand in hand under linden-trees, You can meet an artist painting some paintings and many of families spending their time on pick nick. Some people like sunbathing and it is possible also on Suomenlinna island. From the walls one can admire glimmering sea with boats and sailing boats.

Also there is the old historical submarine Vesikko. It was built in 1933 in Turku, Finland. The peace treaty of Paris in 1947, denied that Finnish army cannot have submarine!!! I just wonder, what kind of innovations we could have offered to the world, if we were allowed to build submarines, when remembering that we already have built Allure of the Seas – world’s biggest cruise ship.

The straits to the Helsinki harbor are narrow and that is why I am showing a ferry on the way to Stockholm compared against old murals of Suomenlinna. Also the port of Helsinki is very popular target for cruising ships.

So, start the walking tour with me, guiding You among hillocks and swinging paths in these historical surroundings.

So nice to read Your comment. Thank You. You are welcome to Helsinki, but keep it in mind that Helsinki is not “the only one” Finland. That I have proved thru my photos. My series showing photos from Helsinki is continuing to the Christmas. Next week I am off from this forum.

Thanks for taking us along on your visit to Suomenlinna. You’re right — there are many fascinating things to see at this fortress. I think I could spend several days there just exploring. I really like the old fortress, but that submarine was fascinating as well. It’s a very beautiful place.

Thanks for the photo tour, I especially love the stone archway pictures. Brought back happy memories of a sunny, warm day last May – a ferry ride in the Helsinki archipelago – pink granite shimmering in the sunshine. 🙂

Thank You for Your comment. Suomenlinna is unique in its own way. It was so nice to read that You have made a ferry ride in the Helsinki archipelago. Well, before Christmas You’ll make another tour with me thru my photos in two posts of mine.

I really enjoyed your photos of that beautiful place: it is always so interesting to see photos of your country! The rock work at the fort is amazing: I can only imagine what it must have been like to build all of that. Those are huge canons too; they must have sounded like thunder when they fired! There is so much history there and you capture it very well!

Thank You. Yes, we have plenty of history. Our history is also of history of Sweden and Russia. With that I mean that our own history starts from December 6th, 1917 (Independence day). We were under the administrative power of Sweden since (about) 1248 to 1809. That means why we have so much Swedish influence. One nice example is that in Thirty Years’ War (1618 to 1648), we have been in battle in Europe in the service of King Gustavus Adolphus. In history Finns who fought in Europe were called Hakkapeliitta.

Between 1809 – 1917, we were under Russian administrative power. That time in our history is called “Grand Duchy of Finland”. All the time we have had our own language. First book in Finnish was published in 1543 and it was called “ABC book” (my free translation) by Mikael Agricola.

Both of those times have given to us many splendid things, we have learned much from both of them etc.

I remember very well when my son was small and he was sitting in strollers, then he burst into tears when he looked inside to one of these canons. Indeed, it’s scary, I agree it myself even after years.

That’s a very beautiful fort!
Much beautiful than the fort in my hometown.
Yes, we also have a fort in Kota Tinggi.
Kota Tinggi used to be the ancient state capital of Johore.
So it has a long history.
But all the canons from the fort have been removed and stored at our National Museum in Kuala Lumpur.

Oh, we don’t produce round stones locally in Malaysia.
So those stone that you saw were imported from elsewhere, probably from China. 😉

Oh, you like the spider lilies? They are so common in Malaysia, you can find them everywhere.
Maybe you also have them at your botanic gardens in Finland.

Thank You for Your visit and comment. I have not visited for years in our botanic gardens. There are two in Helsinki. Round stones we have here plenty of them. In one of my post I presented them. It was called “My environment”. It is easy to find among Categories.

BTW, I replied to You in Your previous comment in my previous post. Check it, please.

It is “funny” how we see my photos. When You mentioned the seventh photo, I remember that I took a long consideration to publish it or not. Now I am glad after reading Your comment that I selected it here. There are during summer many organized walking tours on the island, but I never participated in the. Maybe some times… Next week You’ll see how Suomenlinna is looking like seen from sea.